Par-tay

I'm having a party. It's kind of a big deal. All of my favorite people are coming. They are gathering to help me celebrate a milestone. Kind souls have been asking what they can bring to contribute. I have waved them off; I would really like to treat them to a nice evening as a completely inadequate, yet totally heartfelt gesture of thanks for their friendship and support over the years.

Today I went beverage shopping. My problem is that I have no clue how to gauge quantities when purchasing beverages for 40 or so people. I looked it up online, but the estimates I found (that each guest will drink 2-4 drinks per hour?!) seem grossly exaggerated. I will generally have 2 or so drinks over the course of the evening. Maybe three if I don't have to drive. Most of my friends are the same way, and the few who might have more will be balanced out by the few who will have less.

That still leaves me without knowing with any confidence if I have purchased enough.

Here is what I have so far:

• one mixed case of wine (three pinot noir, three red blend, three sauv blanc, three chardonnay)
• eight bottles of bubbly (prosecco)
• three cases of beer (one full case of yuengling, one mixed case of sam adams, one mixed case of harpoon)
• three cases of bottled water

I will be adding various bottles of regular and diet soda. My friend Irene, who has graciously offered to open her home as the locale for the party, is also making iced tea, punch, and coffee.

That seems like a lot to me, but I constantly second guess myself. I would hate to run out, or to make my guests feel like there isn't enough to enjoy without feeling guilty. 

Here is what my haul so far (plus a few bags of paper goods) looks like: